Rory McIlroy has achieved a career Grand Slam in golf by triumphing at the US Masters tournament.
Winning the Masters was the final major tournament needed for McIlroy to complete the modern golf Grand Slam, a rare accomplishment achieved by only five others before him.
McIlroy, in his 11th attempt at the Grand Slam, competed against Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff to determine the Masters champion after both finished tied on 11 under at the end of regulation on Sunday.
McIlroy reacts as he wins. Pic: AP
Overcome with emotion, McIlroy drops to his knees after beating Justin Rose in the sudden-death playoff. Pic: AP
‘So hard to stay patient’
Commenting at a press conference after his win, McIlroy expressed, “You have to maintain optimism in this game.
“I have reiterated this belief countless times, but I genuinely feel I am a superior player now than I was a decade ago.
“It’s incredibly challenging to remain composed, keep persevering, and not being able to seal the deal.
“There were moments on the back nine where I thought, ‘Have I let this slip again?’ but I responded and am truly proud of my performance.
“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions this week, so I am elated to be the last one standing.”
Right before donning the coveted green jacket during the presentation ceremony, the Northern Irishman remarked, “It’s my 17th appearance here, and I started to question if it would ever be my turn.
“I’m incredibly honored, thrilled, and immensely proud to now call myself a Masters champion.”
McIlroy had missed a crucial six-foot putt for par, resulting in a bogey that brought him back to 11 under, tying him with Rose and setting the stage for a nail-biting playoff between the two.
Only five other golfers have been able to secure a career Grand Slam: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen.
McIlroy is a two-time PGA Championship winner, clinching the title in 2012 and 2014.
The 35-year-old also claimed his first major championship, the US Open, in 2011, and won the Open Championship in 2014.
How did McIlroy seal victory?
Despite losing his two-shot lead at the start with an opening-hole double bogey, McIlroy regrouped to initially take control at Augusta National but stumbled with a four-shot lead slip over the closing six holes.
The world number two finished with a one-over 73, bogeying the last hole to end at 11 under alongside Rose, who mounted a remarkable comeback with a final-round 66 to force a playoff.
Members of McIlroy’s Holywood Golf Club in County Down, Belfast, watch on as he competes in the Masters. Pic: PA
The players returned to the 18th hole for the playoff, where McIlroy redeemed himself for his final-hole mistake by delivering a remarkable approach shot to land within three feet of the pin and sinking the birdie putt for the win.
As the winning putt fell, McIlroy raised his arms skyward, dropped his putter behind him, and fell to his knees, overwhelmed with emotion.
He then embraced his wife Erica and daughter Poppy as chants of “Rory! Rory!” echoed around the green.
‘Hard to put into words’
Tony Denver, watching McIlroy from his home club in Holywood, County Down, shared with Sky News the indescribable feeling following the playoff, as background crowds cheered and applauded the world’s number two golfer.
Tony Denver
Mr Denver went on to express the feeling as “absolutely fantastic,” recalling McIlroy’s journey from a young age to becoming one of the six players to achieve the Grand Slam, an accomplishment he finds unbelievable.
Ruth Watt, lady captain of Holywood Golf Club, stated, “We are all immensely proud, absolutely delighted to welcome Rory back home in that green jacket.
“He has put us through the ringer tonight, but what an outcome.”
Ruth Watt
She added, “There always was something incredibly special about the golf he played, but he is such a gentleman and such a lovely, lovely person.”
For the club, McIlroy’s victory is nothing short of “phenomenal,” she concluded.